I only mention this matter to you that you may understand why misunderstanding might arise in case of such correspondence as you suggest, even though, as Adelaide has explained, she has very naturally become interested temporarily in some of the economic and social questions relating to agriculture, and would unquestionably read your letters concerning these state and national problems with continued interest.  I shall hope, however, that she may still have that satisfaction, for I am very deeply interested in all such questions, and I am particularly interested to know more of the details of your southern Illinois farm, including the invoice of the soil, which you say has been taken by your Experiment Station, and especially your definite plans for the improvement of the land.  I hope the name you have chosen for your farm is not so appropriate as it would be for some of our old Virginia farms.

I shall also be under renewed obligation to you if I may occasionally submit questions concerning the best plans for the restoration of Westover to its former productiveness.  I have decided at least to make another trial with alfalfa next summer, following the valuable suggestions you gave me.

In closing let me renew my assurance of our deep gratitude for the special service you so nobly rendered when fiendish danger threatened my daughter.  We shall always regard you as a gentleman of the highest type.  Very respectfully yours,

CHARLES WEST.

Percy read this letter hurriedly to the end, and then slowly reread it.  His mother noticed that he absent-mindedly replaced the letter in the envelope instead of reading it to her as was his custom.  However, he laid the letter by her plate and talked with her about the corn-shelling which was to begin as soon as the corn sheller could be brought from the neighbor’s where Percy had been helping to haul the corn from the sheller to elevator at Winterbine.  Dinner finished, he hurried out to complete the preparations for the afternoon’s work.  We have no right to follow him.  His mother only saw that he went to the little granary where a few loads of corn were to be stored for future use.  Yes, she saw that he closed the door as he entered.  Not even his mother could see her son again a child.  Women and children weep, not men.  The heart strings draw tight and tighter until they tear or snap.  The body is racked with the anguish of the mind.  The form reels and sinks to the floor.  The head bows low.  Pent up tears fall like rain.—­No, that cannot be.  Men do not shed tears.  If they are mental cowards and physical brutes they pass from hence by a short and easy route and leave the burdens of life to their wives and mothers and disgraced families.  If they are Christian men they seek the only source of help.

Mrs. Johnston watched and waited—­it seemed an hour, but was only a quarter of that time till the granary door opened and she saw Percy pass to the barn with a step which satisfied her mother’s eye.